www.ptsnorth.com

4 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

ISSUE 130 | MARCH 2011

POINTS NORTH MAGAZINECONTENTS

14ON THE COVER:

ANNUAL BEACH

PLANNER

It’s that time of year again – the time when we

start to crave the sun on our faces and the sand

between our toes. Looking for family fun beyond the

beaches in Northwest Florida, or a little romance

in Georgia’s Golden Isles? Want to plan your vacay

around some fabulous festivals along the coast?

You’re in luck. In this special section, we offer a

glimpse at a few glorious Southern beaches, plus the

scoop on packages, promotions and events at beach

destinations across the Southeast.

29 CLORIS LEACHMAN

Whether you recognize her as Frau Blücher in

“Young Frankenstein,” Granny in the remake of

“The Beverly Hillbillies,” or great grandmother

Maw Maw in today’s sitcom “Raising Hope,” which

airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox, there’s no doubt

that Cloris Leachman still has the sharp wit and

boundless energy that Hollywood directors and

producers have relied upon since 1955. This month,

Points North caught up with Leachman to discuss

her career and her upcoming one-woman act at The

Buckhead Theatre.

36 PHOENIX FLIES

Ancient mythology speaks of a beautiful bird with

a tail of gold and scarlet that lives 500 years and

then ignites into flames, only to be reborn from its

own ashes. Fitting, then, that the city of Atlanta

chose the Phoenix to become its official symbol

after the flames of the Civil War in 1888. In an ef-

fort to celebrate our city’s rich history, The Atlanta

Preservation Center presents “Phoenix Flies,” a

free, three-week celebration of our living landmarks

throughout Atlanta.

42 GENUINE ADVENTURES

If you’ve been following this special series, here’s

an installment you won’t want to miss. Sure, we’ve

got all the action you’ve come to expect, from rock

climbing and cycling to fly fishing and llama trekking

(yes, you read that right), but this month’s feature

has yet another incentive – a chance to win one of

three exciting escapades of your own!

COLUMNS

6 | POINTS OF VIEW

8 | ALL POINTS BULLETIN

52 | TOWN TOPICS NEW!

62 | CALENDAR

66 | 5 THINGS I MUST DO THIS MONTH

FOOD

54 | FOOD FOR THOUGHT: IRISH PUBS

DEPARTMENTS

42 6214

36 52

C H E C K O U T M I X I T U P O N L I N E !

Make plans now to attend the special April Fool’s Weekend Wine Dinner at The Inn at Half Mile Farm in

Highlands, N.C., featuring wine pairings from Pignatiello Wine Imports. In the meantime, visit us online

at www.ptsnorth.com to try your hand at one of guest Chef Todd Ginsberg’s culinary creations at home.

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For even more information and a list of re-

sources to make planning your beach getaway

a breeze, visit us online at www.ptsnorth.com.

www.ptsnorth.com

On the Cover: St. Pete Beach, Fla. | Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Island Resorts

POINTS OF VIEW

6 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Points North

All Points Interactive Media Corp.

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© 2011 Points NorthAll Points Interactive Media Corp. All rights reserved.

Points North is published monthly by All Points Interactive Media Corp. The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the editor, the publisher or of Points North. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Subscription information: Points North offers a 12-month subscription for $12. Visit www.ptsnorth.com for details.

Ple

ase

Recycle This Magazine

Editor

Julie C. Hostetter

Senior Editor

Heather KW Brown

Managing Editor

Bre Humphries

Editorial Interns

Andrew Neveils

Contributing Writers

Erica JacksonTiffany Willard

Creative Director

Robin Harrison

Assistant Creative Director

Shannah J. Smith

Office Manager

Holly Widemire

Circulation Manager

Tiffany Willard

President / CEO

Witt Beckman

Publisher

Carl Danbury Jr.

Associate Publisher

Karen Poulsen

Advertising

770-844-0969sales@ptsnorth.com

Account Executives

Nate CurtisTom TolbertJustin DeCusatiHannah Davis

Growing up in landlocked Ohio (Lake Erie, notwithstanding), it was

our spring break ritual to pack up our station wagon and head to the beaches of the

Atlantic Ocean. Despite what that silly groundhog thought or not, it just didn’t feel like

spring until we were lathered in sunscreen and felt that warm sand between our toes.

Whether we reached the shores of Nagshead, The Outer Banks, The Grand Strand or

Hilton Head, the memories are still some of the fondest I have from my childhood.

Soon, my husband and I will be joining my family once more for a spring getaway,

but this time we are passing on this annual rite of spring passage to our 9-month-old

daughter. We are packing up her flowered sunhat, 70+ SPF sunscreen, mermaid beach towel and, of course,

her quintessential yellow-polka-dot bikini and heading to a beach house in Hilton Head, S.C. These warm

thoughts have kept the chill off during an especially icy Atlanta winter.

So, our annual beach planner couldn’t have come at a better time for Atlantans, who are no doubt ready

to nearly skip spring all together and soak up some summer sun. This month we’ll take you to the beaches of

Navarre, Fla., Miami and St. Simons Island, as well as highlight wave upon wave of wonderful travel pack-

ages and popular events and festivals at the beaches we love.

We also love giveaways and hey, a little adventure to spice up the season sounds good too, so be sure to

check out our 64 Genuine Adventures feature to learn about the fabulous travel giveaways we are offering

this month, including a chance to hit the surf in WaterColor with a full-day stand up paddle board rental

for two and an incredible adventure in Costa Rica where you’ll visit the beach, a volcano and a jungle all in

the same trip!

So, I’m making the official announcement, “Spring has sprung in Atlanta!” And if, by chance, Old Man

Winter still doesn’t get the memo, just pack your bags for the beach. I think you can outrun him!

Editor

Julie Hostetter

Spring has Finally Sprung!

Life Is Beautiful Without Bulges

CoolSculpting™The new non-invasive way to reduce fat, get rid of the love handles, muffi n top or other unwanted bulges comfortably, conveniently and naturally. Freezes the fat and it slowly dissolves in 2 - 3 months.

No Cutting | No Needles | No Downtime

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Liposuction/FatTransfer ComboExtract fat from abdomen, thighs and buttocks and inject harvested fat into other areas that you would like plumped. Good for facial areas, breasts and Brazilian buttock lift.

Lose here, gain there. Have the ultimate shape you desire!

8 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

MARCH

APBALL POINTS BULLETIN

The Prize

The Prize

ENTER TO WIN A STAY AT THE SHORES RESORT & SPAThey say time at The Shores Resort & Spa is measured by the surf

and sun. You really can’t ask for a better clock than that when you’re

on vacation, and you’d be hard pressed to fi nd the kind of style and

service that comes standard at Daytona Beach’s only AAA Four-

Diamond property. While the setting sun might signal the end of a

beautiful day anywhere else, it is just the beginning for guests at The

Shores Resort & Spa, where ocean-side fi re pits await families and

friends for memorable moments minus the sun. Its quiet oceanfront

setting is conducive for relaxing, whether your preference is the

resort’s opulent accommodations (think four-posted feather beds and

Italian marble showers), its boutique spa so equipped for pampering

it is called Indulge, or the calm but consistent hum of happy guests

in poolside cabanas, the Tiki Bar or the resort’s signature restaurant,

Azure. Sure, you might have to decide how you’re going to spend

your days and nights in Daytona Beach, but at least you won’t have to

debate where you’re going to spend it. To shore up your own beach

experience, call 866-396-2217 or visit www.shoresresrort.com

— Andrew Neveils

ENTER TO WIN A PACKAGE OF SPECIALTY MEATS FROM NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPESure big box grocery stores might be slightly

more convenient when you’re also shop-

ping for a birthday card and a weeks’ worth

of meals, but with that convenience comes a

cost in quality. Ever met the butcher behind the

counter at the grocery store? Doubtful. “Rare

quality. Well-done service” is what sets New

York Butcher Shoppe apart. Well, that and their

delicious line of hand-cut meats, fresh seasonal

vegetables, pastas, sauces, wines, salads and

dips — and you had the preconceived notion

that this was “just” a butcher shop. Not at all,

but with locations in Alpharetta, Roswell and

Sandy Springs, you might as well check this

place out for yourself. Something tells me your

shopping route will change in the not-so-distant

future. For more information or to peruse New

York Butcher Shoppe’s specialty meats, sand-

wiches, prepared foods and catering options,

visit www.nybutcher.com.

One lucky Points North winner will receive a three-night stay for a

family of four; breakfast daily for four and one S’mores kit. This pack-

age is valued at $1,310 and is valid through March 2012. Please go to

the Giveaway section of our Web site at www.ptsnorth.com to enter

the drawing for this prize.

Two lucky winners will each win one

Broadway Package from New York

Butcher Shoppe. This prize, valued at $95,

includes two 6-ounce fi lets, two 13-ounce

ribeyes, two 10-ounce NY strips, two fresh

ground Angus Burger patties, two center-

cut pork chops, two whole boneless all

natural chicken breasts, one pork tender-

loin and two pounds of fresh ground beef.

Please go to the Giveaway section of our

Web site at www.ptsnorth.com to enter the

drawing for this prize.

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ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 9

CAST A NET FOR CHARITY

If spring fever has you craving a taste of the beach,

Norman’s Landing in Cumming is the next best thing,

battling its landlocked locale with nautically inspired

décor, satisfying seafood and a fun, fish camp-style

setting. Opened since 1995, Norman’s Landing has

remained a local favorite dining destination committed

to hospitable service, great seafood, quality steaks and

plenty of Southern-inspired comfort food. But that’s not

the only hook at Norman’s Landing — there’s also plenty of fun to be had in the ping-

pong room, where you can challenge your friends to a little competition in the name

of charity. In fact, owner Bill Norman is setting the standards high for small business

owners with his philanthropic efforts. To date, the restaurant has donated a total of

more than $1 million to local charities, thanks to ping-pong room donations, tournaments and special events. Are you

lured in? Don’t miss Norman’s next ping pong tournament, with a competition for singles on March 22 and doubles

on March 23. Registration for either of the single-elimination tournaments is $20 and proceeds benefit Children’s

Healthcare of Forsyth. For more information, visit www.normanslanding.com.

FINDING A BETTER PATH Her character on “Three’s

Company” made us laugh non-

stop, but Suzanne Somers has

every intention of making us stop

and think when she comes to town

this month. Healthcare has been a

national debate for decades, and

information is the key ingredient

to fixing the problems. One Path

Summit will bring together some

of the best minds in traditional

and complementary medicine to

facilitate dialogue between support-

ers of these two approaches to care. You

can attend just the main sessions, which

discuss various medical care approaches,

or you can also attend a special luncheon, which will

allow the public to listen to a discussion from a panel of

renowned physicians whose work has garnered national

attention in the areas of cancer, hypertension, neurol-

ogy, endocrinology, internal medicine and nutrition, as

well as holistic medicine, patient-centered

care and community-based care. Many of

the physicians featured are bestselling or

award-winning authors. Moderators will

be Sandy Thurman, former director of the

Office of National AIDS Policy, and Nancy

Paris, president and CEO of Georgia

Center for Oncology Research and

Education. The special keynote speaker

will be Suzanne Somers, the famous

actress, bestselling author and 10-year

breast cancer survivor, who underwent

a lumpectomy and radiation but refused

chemotherapy. The two-day event takes

place March 26 – 27 at the Cobb Galleria

in Atlanta and costs $280; the luncheon

is an additional $85. Sponsorship oppor-

tunities are available. For more information, please call

404-310-2773 or visit www.onepathsummit.com.

— Andrew Neveils

To find a list of giveaway winners, take a look in the

“Online Only” section of www.ptsnorth.com!

GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Owner Bill Norman

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10 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

MARCH

APBALL POINTS BULLETIN

Makeover with Mother NatureSometimes all it takes is a new haircut,

a fresh color and just the right make-up

to change a gal’s mood from gloomy to

glam. If there’s a woman in your life who

deserves such a makeover, take note:

Seven & Co., an Aveda concept salon

in Buford, is seeking nominations for

makeover recipients. Simply visit Seven

& Co.’s Web site to let them know why

your friend or family member deserves

a complimentary cut, color and make-up

application through March 25. Three

fi nalists will be chosen, and voting for

the winner will take place at the salon

throughout the month of April. Donate

$1 for each vote you cast, and Seven &

Co. will pass every cent of the proceeds

to Aveda’s Earth Month mission to raise

money for clean water in partnership

with the Gulf Restoration Network. Looks

like Mother Nature is getting a make-

over, too. For more information, visit

www.sevenandcompany.com.

GENERATIONS OF FUN

Grandmother always did have the

best stories. Remember how vividly

they played out in your mind? Patricia

Babuka and Scott Schaefer, found-

ers of Atlanta-based GrandCamp

Adventures, understand the

importance of the grandparent/

grandchild relationship, and experts recognize

factors such as busy parents, high tech devices, expensive vaca-

tions, and geographic challenges create a gap in that relationship. If there was

ever a need for playtime, it’s now. So, with the launch of their company, Babuka

and Schaefer want to provide you with the opportunity to bring those magical

stories to life, allowing your special relationship to be nurtured and to grow.

Written by award-winning author Walter Sorrells and animated with the help

of former Disney illustrator Victor Tavares, GrandCamp Adventures takes the story

beyond the page and into the reality of your own backyard, where you become the

characters. Each story has its own activities, games and music, bringing you the

joys of quality-time with your grandchild while allowing their imaginations to run

care-free in themes that celebrate family and inspire sharing. GrandCamp provides

the young and the young-at-heart the chance to imagine and play together,

creating memories that will last a lifetime. For more information,

visit www.grandcamp.com.

— Erica Jackson

FEELING CRAFTY?Dear craft-lovers, if basketry,

ceramics, fashion wearables

or handmade furniture makes

your heart go pitter-patter,

mark your calendars to welcome the American Craft

Council Show to Atlanta for its 22nd year. The show will take place March

10 – 13 at the Cobb Galleria Centre and will off er its guests the chance to meet

and purchase work from respected artists who have had their work displayed

in some of the most supreme art and craft galleries in the country. This year

will feature the addition of a new category, Handmade Under $100, as well as

the return of the AltCraft section of the show, which features 10 artists demon-

strating the indie craft/new handmade movement.

And if your love for arts and crafts makes you anxious for an early start,

you are invited to the Preview Party on Thursday, March 10 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The party benefi ts the Museum of Design Atlanta and allows you to shop

ahead of the crowds while spending quality time with the artists. For more

information, updates on featured artists, special off ers, show news and prices,

visit www.craftcouncil.org.

— Erica Jackson

** PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PEARMAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRY RHODES

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANNAH SMITH

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ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 11

Making Success FunCorporate teams are most frequently

the combination of oil and water – they

just don’t mix. DrawSuccess was born

specifi cally to alleviate this problem in a

fun and profi table way. Born in Atlanta,

this organization seeks to draw out the

education, intelligence and experience

of each individual in the program so as

to provide the potential to perform their

job at a higher level. Translation: They

make a connection through common

backgrounds. What makes this fun? It’s

administered through a board game that

uses questions to peel back the layers

of structure within your team as well

as personal questions that build trust.

Many companies have utilized

DrawSuccess and have seen desirable

results. Coming off of a terrible economy,

this is a great way to invest in your

employees! For more information

visit www.drawsuccess.com or call

800-890-3729.

— Andrew Neveils

CORRECTIONIn February, Points North listed an incorrect Web site for PhotoSynthesis Studio, which provided a photo for our Northside Wedding Guide. The correct site is www.photosynthesisatlanta.com. We regret the error.

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WITH 32-MILES OF SUGAR-WHITE BEACHES yawning

along a 30,000 acre island on the northernmost coast of the Gulf of Mexico,

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have attracted families for spring break

and summer vacations for decades. Sand dunes covered in sea oats and

turquoise waters are the norm on the coast while inland areas feature live

oaks and pines. Freshwater lakes, rivers, bayous and coves add nearly

400,000 acres of protected water to the area. This serene coastal landscape

offers four diverse ecosystems, all uniquely located within one area. These

ecosystems include an ancient maritime live oak forest, wet longleaf pine

savanna, fresh water marsh and small stream swamp forest. Located

within an easy drive from Atlanta (approximately 370 miles), Gulf Shores

and Orange Beach feature an array of outdoor activities, both on- and off-

the-beach that will keep your family entertained for days or weeks.

T H E A L A B A M A G U L F C O A S T ’ SIdyllic Family Beach Destination

G U L F S H O R E S

O R A N G E B E A C H

S P R I N G E V E N T S

SPRING BIRD BANDINGApril 2-14, Fort MorganBanding hours are from before dawn to mid-afternoon, depending on the fl ow of birds. GULF COAST BOAT SUPER SHOWApril 8-10, Orange BeachMore than 100 boats in the water and 150 boats on land, demonstrations, surfi ng contests, vendors and more.

14TH ANNUAL WOODEN BOAT FESTIVALMay 7-8, Nearby ElbertaLocal artists, boat builders, marine sales, music, food and sailboat races.

THE HANGOUT BEACH, MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVALMay 20-22, Gulf ShoresMore than 60 bands performing on four stages right on the beach.

A D V E R T I S M E N T

F I S H I N G

One of the Gulf Coast’s fi nest fi sh-

ing destinations, the Alabama Gulf

Coast proudly showcases the largest

artifi cial reef program in the na-

tion. With about 1,200 square miles

of fi sh habitat, the area is a haven

for anglers. Blue marlin, yellow fi n

tuna, amberjack, cobia, red snapper

and speckled trout are bountiful, and

fi shing charters and cruises depart

daily. In addition, educational dolphin

sightseeing tours also are offered. For

those anglers who would rather stay

closer to land, the second longest fi sh-

ing pier in the Gulf of Mexico, nearly

one-third of a mile over Gulf waters is

now open to the public and is located

in the Alabama Gulf State Park.

G O L F

Gulf Shores Golf Association show-

cases 189 holes of championship-

caliber golf at nine courses. Kiva

Dunes is the No. 1 rated golf course

in the state of Alabama, Craft Farms

offers two 18-hole courses designed

by Arnold Palmer and Soldiers Creek

Golf Club in nearby Elberta provides

an entertaining layout that winds

through rolling hills, lakes and nature

trails. Numerous Stay-and-Play golf

packages are available at

www.golf.gulfshores.com.

B A C K T O N A T U R E

Get in touch with your wild side on

Alabama’s Gulf Coast, where sched-

ules take a back seat to sunsets, to-

do-lists aren’t nearly as important as

tide charts and each change of season

brings something awe-inspiring. Hike

along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcoun-

try Trail, which winds through the

rich fl ora and fauna of Orange Beach

all the way to the pristine beach of

Gulf State Park. A series of bikeways

offers the chance to investigate things

up close and get your exercise at the

same time. Grab your binoculars and

head out on the Alabama Coastal

Birding Trail is a birders paradise,

where you’re likely to spot everything

from the tiniest hummingbird to the

statuesque Great Blue Heron. Rent a

kayak and paddle your way through

serene back bays, or learn how local

shrimpers catch the prized crustaceans

we all love!

Don’t miss the perfect chance to plan

the escape you’ve longed for. Call

toll-free 1-877-280-6368 or visit

www.GulfShores.com now.

14 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

After waking to a beautiful sunrise off the

Florida coast of Navarre Beach, I somehow found myself 65 feet in the

air, zipping over the white sandy shores of Coldwater Creek. I quickly

realized this wasn’t the typical beach vacation I’d come to know. The

last time I was in Navarre Beach, my day consisted of a boom box,

a beach towel and baby oil mixed with iodine. Of course, times have

changed. SPF 50 and iPods have replaced those long-ago beach favor-

ites. And while soaking up the rays

on the most beautiful beaches in the

world still sits atop my list for vaca-

tions, having kids in tow also means

you need to keep moving. Sandcastles

and boogie boarding will keep them

entertained for only so long. Thank-

fully, the beach towns of Northwest

Florida have plenty of options to

entertain families of all ages.

Situated between Pensacola

and Destin on Santa Rosa Island,

Navarre Beach is a laid-back com-

munity completely surrounded by

[ WRITTEN BY TIFFANY WILLARD ]

beyond

the beachWhen You’ve Had Enough Sun Bathing and Boogie Boarding, Navarre Beach, Fort Walton and Okaloosa Island Provide Plenty of Options for Family Fun

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Destin Commons

Zipline

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 15

a protected nat-

ural coastline,

with a county

park to the east

and the Gulf

Islands National

Seashore to the west. Hit hard by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Navarre

Beach has pulled itself back together and offers condos and rental

homes to suit any size family. While the beaches are unmistak-

ably gorgeous, there is much more to do in this hamlet than laze

around on the shore.

Exploring Nature in Navarre

Having visited this area many times in the past, my son and I set

out to discover the fun to be had off the beach and away from the

outlet malls. One hour north of Navarre, we found ourselves in the

self-described “canoe capital” of Florida in the town of Milton.

A top outfitter in the area, Adventures Unlimited, is an 88-acre

wooded oasis for outdoor adventurers, providing kayaks, canoes

and tubing. The daring among you will delight in a series of 14

zip lines totaling almost a mile in length. The 900-foot final zip

launches you from a 60-foot platform over Coldwater Creek and

the kayakers below.

Heading back to Navarre, the privately owned Gulf Breeze

Zoo is a gem. Howler monkeys, Australian Singing Dogs, lions,

tigers and bears share the 50-acre wildlife sanctuary with toucans,

bats, peacocks and tamarins. Never having had a giraffe come

when called, we were delighted when resident giraffes Gabby and

Geronimo lumbered toward us. It surely had something to do with

the plastic cup of food my son was holding, but feeding them was

a highlight of his visit. Every hour the Safari Limited train takes

off on a 15-minute tour of 30 secluded acres, where antelope, deer,

zebras and ostrich roam free. I’ve been in bigger, more celebrated

zoos, but this little zoo has an intimacy with the animals that you

won’t find in its larger counterparts.

Back on the beach, one of Navarre’s landmarks, the Navarre

Beach Pier, which was destroyed during Hurricane Ivan, has now

been rebuilt and stretches 1,545 feet, making it the longest pier

in the Gulf of Mexico. Planned for this spring, an outdoor café is

being built at the foot of it to serve breakfast and lunch. In keeping

with the laid-back mood, you’ll find plenty of dining choices in the

area, where cover-ups and flip-flops are acceptable dress.

Old Florida Fun in Fort Walton

Just about 15 miles east of Navarre, Fort Walton Beach and Oka-

loosa Island were once a spring break haven for rowdy college

kids. More recently, the area has made a name for itself as a

family-friendly destination. Florida’s legendary Gulfarium, circa

1955, continues to thrill with crowd-soaking dolphin and sea lion

shows performed just feet away from the Gulf of Mexico. And

while we Atlantans have access to Georgia’s grandest aquarium,

there’s a reminiscent charm to Gulfarium that harkens back to

the days of Old Florida’s roadside destinations.

Budding scientists will enjoy the Emerald Coast Science

Center, where exhibits explain static electricity, gravity and the

workings of the human body in a very hands-on environment.

History buffs will like the Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cul-

tural Center, with its Camp Walton Schoolhouse and Garnier Post

Office museums. Adjacent to the museums, the Fort Walton Temple

Mound was once an important Indian ceremonial structure.

When you’re ready to get your muscles moving, Liquid

Surf & Sail offers choices ranging from windsurfing to YOLO

boarding and kayaks. For less physical watersports, head to

Luther’s Pontoon & Jet Ski Rentals, just down the road in Destin;

here, you’ll find the horsepower you’re craving, so even the novice

boatsman can enjoy a day on

the water.

With so many activities

available, you may not get much

rest lying on the beach, but you

can be sure you’ll sleep well

at night.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M ATI O N

Navarre Beach

www.beachestorivers.com

Fort Walton/Okaloosa Island

www.emeraldcoastfl.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA ROSA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

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Gulf Breeze Zoo

Camp Walton Schoolhouse

16 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

In my mind, I was bushwacking through

unchartered territory while alligators lurked in the thick soupy swamp

around me. In reality, my biggest challenge was trying to keep over-

sized work gloves secure on my hands as I clipped overgrown palm

fronds along a 1-mile asphalt trail. Precarious, it was not, but in true

journalistic fashion, I had successfully immersed myself in Miami’s

other “wild” side and while part of me really wanted to don a pair of

waders and slosh through the swamp, the other — much wiser — part

of me was quite content exploring wildlife from the safety of paved

paths and wooden walkways in Everglades National Park.

My whereabouts

here in the th i rd

largest park in the U.S.

National Parks system

is what had lured me to

Miami. Comprised of

mangrove swamps, a

subtropical jungle and

sawgrass prairies, these

1.5 million acres known

as the “River of Grass”

are home to rare birds

and endangered animals such as the American crocodile. Now

don’t get me wrong, aside from a few snapshots well out of harm’s

way, I want nothing to do with alligators or crocodiles, rare spe-

cies or not. But when I learned the Mandarin Oriental, Miami,

located just an hour’s drive from the Everglades, had launched a

voluntourism program, I couldn’t resist.

This is precisely how I found myself beside a knowledgeable

park ranger and several other volunteers, all of us armed with

shears and dutifully clearing a trail. We talked. We discovered

new creatures. And when quiet settled in among our group, I’m

inclined to think each of us was processing the experience. Truth

is, I’m a beach girl whose love of nature previously didn’t include

relinquishing a place in the sun or swapping a swimsuit for shears.

[ WRITTEN BY HEATHER KW BROWN ]

sunscreen

with a side

of shearsA Mission to Do Good in the Everglades and Feel Good in Miami

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Everglades

Oasis Beach Club at Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Explore the nooks and crannies of a multi-level clubhouse, shimmy up the inside of a mighty red oak tree, walk through a virtual waterfall and more in Fernbank’s ground-breaking NEW children’s exhibition.

Visit fernbankmuseum.org/naturequest for tickets and details.

Let the adventure begin!

OPENS

MARCH 19!

18 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

That was just one of many pleasant surprises to come from my

stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami.

Pampering and Preservation

Partnering with the Everglades National Park, I soon discovered,

isn’t limited to the park itself. Preservation of the park surpris-

ingly also coincided with my own — albeit in the hands of a mas-

seuse inside the newly renovated Spa at Mandarin Oriental. With

my hands out, palms down, she swabbed a medicinal grade herb

on each hand and explained how the herbs soak into the skin,

affecting the body for 24 hours. I had all intentions of selecting

the scent I liked best but that’s not how the Herbal Thai Com-

press Ritual works. The body tells you which one you need or

don’t need: if you can’t smell it, you don’t need it. Apparently,

after spending quality time at the Oasis Beach Club, the Man-

darin Oriental’s private beach complete with swinging hammocks,

cocoon day beds, cabanas, an infi nity-edge pool and a front row

seat to the shore, I was already relaxed. So much so, that now I

needed to be energized. The masseuse pressed what she described

as weighted tea bags made of naturally therapeutic ingredients up

and down my back, legs and arms. The treatment, designed for

soothing your muscles while relaxing the mind and body, left me

woozy with relaxation, yet just as she had said, later in the day I

was energized. And from this pampering came preservation: one

live oak, bald cypress, slash pine or gumbo limbo tree gets planted

in the park for each guest who books the Herbal Thai Compress

Ritual here at Miami’s only Five-Star spa.

Suffi ce it to say that nothing about the Mandarin Oriental,

Miami is standard. Not the 30-foot Tropical Black Bamboo tree

that graces the north side of the lobby, not the unique Kimono

robes on the walls, the Champagne bar made of sleek aluminum

to keep drinks cold while guests socialize at Azul, the hotel’s

incredible restaurant, and certainly not the M-Bar, the hip martini

bar where more than 250 creative martinis await sophisticated

palates. In celebration of its 10th anniversary last year, the hotel

underwent grand renovations throughout the property. The gues-

trooms, at the hands of our very own Atlanta-based designer Jan

Clausen, are luxuriously chic with understated Asian accents. It’s

easy to stay put in luxury like this, but remember, this is Miami.

Get out and see the scene.

When you do, my don’t-miss-this-in-Miami suggestion is to

dine at Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita, located in Mary

Brickell Village. Built in 1923, this restaurant was once the home

of Miami’s Fire Station No. 4.

Opt for rooftop dining for a

fabulous meal and an unparal-

leled panoramic view of Miami’s

skyline — just be sure to take

the stairs instead of the fi re pole

back down when you leave!

F O R M O R E I N F O R M ATI O N

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

www.mandarinoriental.com

Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita

www.doloreslolita.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MIAMI

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE APOSTOLIDUS

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Azul

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 19

Maybe it’s the historical reminders

of a storied past, the untamed beauty of live oaks and natural

marshland, or simply the Southern hospitality that greets guests

at every turn. In any case, there’s something alluring about Geor-

gia’s Golden Isles, a magical quality with a hint of romance that’s

unlike many other coastal destinations within driving distance of

Atlanta. St. Simons Island in particular has a distinctive appeal.

The largest of Georgia’s barrier islands, St. Simons is a far cry

from the clamoring commercialization in other popular vacation

spots, with just enough activities and entertainment to make it an

attractive choice for families. But it was the romance in the air

that drew my husband and I here for a special weekend celebration

that left us captivated by the magic of this place.

Isn’t It Romantic?

“Come coast awhile,” the invitation read, and the idea of spending

lazy days in the sun before a grand low country wedding was all

it took to set our plans into motion for a getaway to St. Simons.

Since we happened to be celebrating a special occasion of our

own, we decided to make a long weekend out of it and booked

an opulent suite at Ocean Lodge.

If romance was our goal, I knew our mission would be

isles of

goldSt. Simons Islands’ Ocean Lodge Provides the Perfect Place forA Little Romance and Southern Charm

[ WRITTEN BY BRE HUMPHRIES ]

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20 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

accomplished as soon as

the hotel came into sight.

A tribute to the Spanish

and Mediterranean influ-

ences up and down the

coast, Ocean Lodge’s dra-

matic architecture also

blends French and Italian

nuances to create an Old

World paradise steeped in

Southern charm. Suites are spacious and impeccably decorated

to resemble European villas, with little details that make all the

difference, like custom oil paintings and Spanish porcelain tiles,

plus an ocean view from each and every room.

We arrived just in time for dinner at the hotel’s Rooftop Ter-

race & Restaurant. With a line-up of live music, this is a popular

spot on weekends, and even on a Thursday night, a lively crowd

gathered in the bar, so we requested a private spot near the back

for a quiet dinner. The breeze from the ocean was strong but

refreshing, and moonlight danced off the water in the distance as

we dined on sophisticated Southern fare with an emphasis on local

ingredients, like wild Georgia shrimp, local oysters and artisanal

cheeses from South Georgia’s Sweet Grass Dairy.

Island Exploration

Increasing its appeal, Ocean Lodge offers the same level of service

you’d expect from a destination resort without the nickel-and-

dime approach you so often encounter in luxury travel. Here, most

amenities are complimentary, including a tabletop breakfast in the

hotel’s Old World living room, where options like apple pancakes

and croissant French toast are decadent and just what you need

to kick-start your day.

Public beach access is available across the street, but don’t

bother packing beach chairs, towels or umbrellas — Ocean Lodge

provides all that for you, plus bicycles for scouting the island. Since

this particular stretch of beach is bordered by rocks, it nearly dis-

appears at high tide, so it’s best to plan your beach time for mid-

afternoon, or soak up some sun from the lodge’s tanning deck,

where an endless pool makes it possible to take a waist-high dip or

swim “laps” against a current. In the meantime, I took advantage

of those aforementioned complimentary bikes. Sidewalks along

most of the roads make St. Simons easy to explore, and I enjoyed

a leisurely ride to shop in the village before paying a visit to the

St. Simons Lighthouse, a working lighthouse in operation since

1872, and the fi shing pier at the center of town.

If you want to venture deeper into island exploration, catch

a ride on the St. Simons Trolley, where guests can learn about the

island’s 400-year history aboard a 1930s antique trolley. One stop

on the 90-minute tour is Christ Church, where a haunting love story

of a minister and his wife lies deep in the heart of the island.

The next evening, we watched a different love story begin

at yet another charming church shrouded in live oaks and

Spanish moss as wedding

bells rang through the air.

Yes, the history lessons here

are enchanting indeed, but

history is still in the making

in St. Simons.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M ATI O N

Ocean Lodge

866-932-0593

www.oceanlodgessi.com

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Clockwise from top left: Ocean Lodge suite; endless pool on the Ocean Lodge tanning deck; Rooftop Terrace & Restaurant.

22 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Spring Fling

Located in Northwest Florida’s Beaches of South Walton, the tranquil

town of Seaside exudes charm with hints of nostalgia, reminding us that

sometimes, all you need is a bucket, a beach towel and an idyllic setting

in which to enjoy some old-fashioned, quality time together. This spring,

take advantage of 20 percent off already reduced seasonal rates through

the Seaside Cottage Rental Agency, which allows visitors to feel at

home in charming cottage accommodations while taking advantage of

the most luxurious amenities. These discounts are available March 1 – 10,

March 27 – 31 and May 1 – 19. Make the most of your beach retreat by

planning your visit around Seaside’s special spring events, like First Friday

Artwalks or the exciting ArtsQuest weekend on May 6 – 8. 866-966-2565,

www.cottagerentalagency.com

Culinary Perks

Perched on a mile of undeveloped

beach in Destin, Fla., Henderson

Park Inn off ers a peaceful paradise

for beach lovers. The New England-

style bed and breakfast is a food-

lover’s dream, thanks to its onsite,

fi ne-dining restaurant, BeachWalk.

True epicureans can take advan-

tage of the

special “Toes

in the Sand”

dining pack-

ages, and this

month, Points

North readers

who book a

stay at Hen-

derson Park Inn can enjoy a spe-

cial off er — a free copy of “Excep-

tional Taste,” a gorgeous hardcover

cookbook by Beachwalk restaurant

founder and chef Tim Creehan,

chocked full of decadent recipes

and historical information about

the Inn and the Destin area. Simply

mention “Points North” as a promo

code when you call for reservations

through March 31. 866-398-4432,

www.hendersonparkinn.com

All in the FamilySpring Break with

the family doesn’t

have to break the bank.

Now through May 24, Northwest Florida’s

Sterling Resorts is off ering a package deal you simply can’t pass

up — pay to stay for three nights and receive a fourth night free, plus un-

limited free DVD rentals and two free large pizzas. Now that’s amore! And

with more than 1,000 luxurious, family-friendly condominium units along

Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sterling guests can enjoy any number of beachfront

accommodations with a full range of amenities, like fully equipped kitchens

and private balconies. Bonus: Guests at select locations will also receive

exclusive access and discounts to area golf courses, spas, restaurants and

more. 877-496-1690, www.sterlingresorts.com

beach briefsA Whirlwind Tour of Our Southern Beaches[ WRITTEN BY ANDREW NEVEILS ]

“On the beach, you can live in bliss.” — Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STERLING RESORTS

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 23

Super Savings on St. George IslandSavor all the rest and relaxation

you need in a peaceful beachfront

paradise on St. George Island, a

barrier island off Florida’s Forgotten

Coast known for its sugar-white

sands, striking beauty and natural

activities like fi shing, birding, boating

and trail hiking. And there’s no time

like the present to take advantage of

a special off er from Resort Vacation

Properties, which off ers access to

a variety of beach homes to host

your family — save 10 percent off

the advertised rate through May

20, and an extra 5 percent if you’re

a return visitor with the Repeat

Rental Discount. 877-272-8206,

www.resortvacationproperties.com

Spring Seaside Saver

South Carolina’s Southern charm and elegance meets beach life living

in Isle of Palms’ Wild Dunes Resort outside of Charleston. This place is

all about access — access to the beach, golf, dining and so much more.

You can plan as much or as little as you want because life around Wild

Dunes is simply uncomplicated. Breathe in the salty air, smile wildly at

views otherwise reserved for postcards and rest comfortably with your

wallet packed full of money you’ve saved on this vacation. From March

1 through May 26, this AAA Four-Diamond resort off ers a 10 percent dis-

count for a 2- or 3-night stay and a 15 percent discount for a 4-night stay

or longer. The longer you stay, the more you save and the more relaxed

you feel. 888-778-1876, www.wilddunes.com

$$$

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24 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Family Fun in The SunWhether you’re traveling with tiny tots or teenagers,

TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Fla.,

has endless fun for all ages. While Mom and Dad en-

joy amenities like heated pools or the intimate Oasis

Courtyard, kids can’t get enough of the resorts’ bun-

gee trampoline, High Tide Slide, RedBear’d Pirate

Show, Fisherman Tim’s Fishing Exhibitions, and glow-

in-the-dark beach volleyball games. And their newest

program, which launched last year, is becoming all

the rage for teens. The Teen Marine Bio-Adventure

off ers the opportunity to get fi rst-hand experience in

marine biology on a boat trip to Shell Island, an un-

inhabited barrier island, to cast nets, search for shells

and swim. Families can enjoy these activities and more

by booking a stay in the Island Grand Beach Resort

or the Sandpiper Hotel and Suites. 800-360-4016,

www.tradewindsresort.com

Time OutSomething fun, fresh

and family-friendly can

be tough to come by

these days. Jupiter

Beach Resort in Jupi-

ter, Fla., has recently

opened its new Little

Loggerheads Kid’s

Club with younger

guests in mind. With

activities such as cup-

cake decorating, sea-

side stargazing, mov-

ie nights and poolside

arts and crafts, Jupiter

off ers an out-of-this-world experience for the kids. For

only $25 per child, all activities and either lunch or din-

ner are available so your kids can be entertained all day

long. The “Family Time Out” package includes luxuri-

ous accommodations; daily breakfast; cookies and milk

upon arrival; a welcome gift bag with candy, sunscreen,

game tokens and stuff ed sea creature; choice of Kid’s

Night Out or Little Loggerheads Daytime Kids’ Club; and

a guaranteed late check-out, with nightly rates starting

at just $299 through April 30. This is one “time out”

you and your kids won’t mind enduring! 866-943-0950,

www.jupiterbeachresort.com

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ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 25

Love The One You’re WithNestled between Key West Harbor

and Mallory Square in Key West,

Fla., is Ocean Key Resort & Spa, a

dream away from home with 100

large rooms with views that inspire

and energize. The resort offers warm

breezes, breathtaking views, bright

colors, island-style art and unique,

hand-painted furniture throughout.

The romantically inspired “Love The

One You’re With” package includes

a stay in the Ocean View Boutique

Suite overlooking Mallory Square

and the Gulf as well as a Liquid Jelly

Monkey Love welcome cocktail at

The Sunset Pier, daily breakfast at the

Hot Tin Roof, two tropical cocktails

and a Conch Fusion appetizer each

evening, and $50 credit each day for

a SpaTerre experience. Be careful,

you may just decide to retire early

and stay forever. If you do, be sure

to send a postcard! 800-328-9815,

www.oceankey.com

Spring Break On UsThis sweet deal from Tempo Miami

is such a steal, it’ll feel like it’s on the

house. Perfectly situ-

ated across from the

Adrienne Arsht Center

for the Performing Arts

and American Airlines

Arena, this RockResort

location is settled in the

67-story Marquis Resi-

dences and overlooks

Biscayne Bay, offering

56 luxurious guest rooms and spa-

cious suites, a gourmet restaurant,

Amuse, and an 8,000-square-foot

RockResorts Spa. The “Spring Break

On Us” offer includes a free night

to guests during peak Spring Break

season, but is valid until April 30

and upon availability. 866-513-7625,

www.tempomiami.rockresorts.com

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26 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

beach calendar[ COMPILED BY ANDREW NEVEILS ]

G A R D E N S H OW AT

A M E LI A I S L A N D

[March 5 – 6]

Hosted by the Fernandina

Farmer’s Market, this event will

showcase nature’s brightest

colors for two days at Central

Park. With growers and nurs-

eries from around Florida, the

show will feature more than

50 vendors with a full assort-

ment of fl owers, plants and ac-

cessories. Mention “GARDGU”

and enjoy a special show rate

at Amelia Hotel at the Beach.

Amelia Island, 904-491-4872,

www.ameliagarden.com

C O N C O U R S

D’ E LE G A N C E

[March 11 – 13]

With more than 250 classic

production and racecars from

seldom-seen private collections

on display at The Golf Club of

Amelia Island at Summer Beach,

it’ll be tough to focus on your

putting. The event also includes

road rallies, RM Auction of vin-

tage cars, seminars, a black tie

gala dinner and silent auction.

Amelia Island, 904-636-0027,

www.ameliaconcours.org

O R A N G E B E AC H

F E S TI VA L O F A R T

[March 12 – 13]

Juried artists from Orange

Beach, Ala., and throughout the

nation display their fi ne art and

crafts this season on the beauti-

ful Wolf Bay. Additionally, there

will be a Literary Arts Tent, Dra-

ma and Dance Stage, Children’s

Fine Art Gallery and a Songwrit-

ers and Musicians stage to show-

case other areas of art. The talent

is immense; the price of admis-

sion is free. For area informa-

tion, visit www.gulfshores.com.

Orange Beach, 251-981-2787,

www.obfoa.com

A LYS B E AC H S PR I N G

C O N C E R T S E R I E S

[March 16, 23; April 6, 13, 27]

Bring your dancing shoes and join

Alys Beach, Fla., as they show-

case various local and regional

acts in their local amphitheatre.

This is sure to be a beautiful get-

away. Alys Beach, 866-732-1760,

www.alysbeach.com

B A L H A R B O U R M OV I E S

O N TH E B E AC H

[March 26]

You might already know Miami’s

Bal Harbour is one of the most

prestigious fashion meccas in the

world, but it’s now garnering dis-

tinction as one of South Florida’s

premier tourist attractions, off er-

ing visitors the opportunity to en-

joy cultural happenings as well. In

collaboration with ArtNexus, the

Bal Harbour Shops are hosting

themed collector-worthy installa-

tions. Each month, the Shops will

feature displays and collections

inspired by fashion, the art scene

in Miami, and video installations.

At night, Movies on the Beach

take place under the stars at Bal

Harbour Beach. This month is a

double feature, which opens with

a collection of past winners from

the Museum of Contemporary

Art’s annual Optic Nerve fi lm

festival, followed by the award

winning “La Vie En Rose,” the

story about brilliant but tortured

French singer, Edith Piaf. Bal

Harbour Village, 800-847-9222,

www.balharbourfl orida.com

G U LF C OA S T

S A LUTE A I R S H OW

[March 26 – 27]

This patriotic event will be

highlighted by the U.S. Thun-

derbirds in their 57th year rep-

resenting the men and women

of the United States Air Force.

The two-day show will also

feature a variety of aerial shows

as well as food, games and

attractions. For accommoda-

tions in nearby Mexico Beach,

visit www.mexico-beach.com.

Tyndall Air Force Base,

www.tyndall.af.mil

LI N G D I N G

TO U R N A M E NT S

[Weekends in April]

This old fi shing festival was

popular 20 years ago, and now

it’s back and better than ever!

Boaters can fi sh it out for cash

prizes, and all proceeds ben-

efi t the Forgotten Coast Warrior

Weekend and the Mexico Beach

Artifi cial Reef Association. Mex-

ico Beach, Fla., 888-723-2546,

www.mexico-beach.com

S A N D E S TI N W I N E

F E S TI VA L

[April 28 – May 1]

White tents, fl owing wine,

gourmet food, ladies strolling

in hats and live music sum up

one of the best events of the

season. The grand wine tasting

will captivate even the casual

wine drinker with more than 600

wines. The Culinary Pavilion

will feature the food treasures

of Spain. Sandestin Golf and

Beach Resort, 800-622-1038,

www.sandestinwinefestival.com

P LE I N A I R

PA I NT- O UT

[May 13 – 22]

Nationally recognized Plein Air

artists have been tasked with

capturing the allure of Florida’s

Forgotten Coast on canvas. Visi-

tors can watch as they paint on

the beach, across the marsh,

beside the lakes and through-

out the streets of coastal towns

from Mexico Beach to Carabelle,

Fla. Florida’s Forgotten Coast,

www.pleinairfl .com

H A N G O UT M U S I C

F E S TI VA L

[May 20 – 22]

A smile will cross your face when

you think about relaxing on a

beautiful beach, listening to

some good vibrations and get-

ting a great deal. This festival

is headlined by Paul Simon, The

Black Keys, Foo Fighters and so

many more fabulous artists that

Gulf Shores, Ala., might burst

with excitement. Brett/Robin-

son Real Estate will give you

four nights for the price of three,

with some restrictions on loca-

tions and subject to availability.

Visit www.brettrobinson.com for

rates. Gulf Shores,

www.hangoutmusicfest.com

W I LD A M E LI A

N ATU R E F E S TI VA L

[May 20 – 22]

Residents and visitors are invit-

ed to experience the wild side

of Amelia Island, Fla. With more

than 25 seminars and experi-

ences, the three-day festival

off ers something for everyone.

You can take a Segway tour of

Ft. George Island, kayak the

marshes along Ft. Clinch State

Park and explore bird habitats

by bike. There are several pro-

grams designed specifi cally for

children, including a Kids Niche

with hands-on nature activities.

Amelia Island, 904-251-0016,

www.wildamelia.com

“ DA M E S AT S E A”

[June 3 – July 1]

SummerTide Theatre is proud to

present this fl ashy, glitzy story

set in the 1930s. Ruby, a talented

tap dancer from the country who

longs for Broadway success, has

a story that’s full of love, laugh-

ter and big musical numbers.

Gulf Shores, 251-968-6721,

www.summertide.org PN

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Sandestin Wine Festival

Concours D’Elegance

28 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

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ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 29

Well, For Heaven’s Sake Shining the Spotlight on Cloris Leachman and Her Upcoming One-Woman-Act at the Buckhead Theatre{ }

[ WRITTEN BY CARL DANBURY, JR. ]

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES BUSCH

was fi lmed, it would have been diffi cult for director

Cecil B. DeMille to keep it shorter than his “The Ten

Commandments,” and prolifi c author James Michen-

er’s “Hawaii” might seem like a short story. Spanning

65 years of portraying many extraordinary characters

on stage, fi lm and television, Leachman maintains a

busy schedule despite the fact she is approaching her

85th birthday in April.

Leachman will visit Atlanta this month and per-

form “Cloris: A One Woman Show,” at The Buckhead

Theatre, March 18 and 19. Leachman, who currently

portrays great grandmother Maw Maw in the sitcom

“Raising Hope” (airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox),

still has the sharp wit and boundless energy that Holly-

wood directors and producers have relied upon, seem-

ingly endlessly, since 1955.

“I don’t know why I have been so successful,”

Leachman told Points North recently. “I just try to

be as real, truthful and authentic as possible, and

as interesting as possible. I just throw myself into

each role.”

Leachman, who won an Academy Award for Best

Actress in a Supporting Role for the 1971 fi lm “The

Last Picture Show,” also has won nine Emmy Awards,

more than any other actor.

“I love acting. It’s kind of detective work, it’s emo-

tional, you discover things, and you learn every time

you do something. The wonderful people you meet

and work with — I am so grateful, so privileged, and

I am aware of it every minute,” she related.

From Rural Iowa to the Great White Way

In all great success stories, there is always one character

that played the biggest supporting role. For Leachman,

that was her mother.

“Without my mother, I would be on some chicken

farm or something, probably still in Iowa,” Leachman

chuckled. “She was the most darling, sweetest, most

adorable person you’ve ever seen. She was just beau-

tiful. She had brown eyes, brown hair, was about

5-foot-1, and she wore about a size-3 shoe, darling

little high heels. She always had little stories she would

tell us.”

Leachman was the oldest of three girls, each sepa-

rated in age by three years. She recalled a trip to nearby

Des Moines with her sisters and her mother for voice

lessons.

“We lived way out in the country and my

youngest sister thought that’s why we had lessons so

that we could entertain Mom and Dad. Of course it

wasn’t true.”

If Cloris Leachman’s entire life as an actress

30 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOR MEGAERA

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 31

Despite tough times during the Depression, Leach-

man’s mother always found ways to keep her daughter

entertained.

“She bought a paper [piano] keyboard and set it in

front of me, and then she would sing the notes when I’d

play them. When I played with the left hand, she’d sing

the harmony, and when I played with the right hand she’d

sing the melody and I’d sing the harmony. So, I can sing

harmony to anything and even some songs that I haven’t

sung yet,” Leachman offered.

“When I’d play something well, Mama would just

say ‘Well, for Heaven’s sake.’ She never would rave about

any of us. She said I had a mobile face at one point, but

she’d never say I was pretty,” Leachman said.

In 1946, her talents and beauty became widely

recognized. As Miss Chicago, Leachman entered the

Miss America pageant, fi nished as a fi nalist and was

awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Her father Buck, who

owned a lumber company, was so impressed that he

gave Leachman $60, a train ticket to New York and a

three-day deadline to see if she could capitalize on her

newfound fame.

“I took the train, got off at Grand Central Station,

kept putting a nickel in the phone to call names from

this contacts’ list that I had [received] after the contest,”

Leachman said. “Only one man answered. He said,

‘Come on over here and maybe I can help you.’ I was on

the East Side at 42nd Street and I walked in my high heels

and sexy little dress over to the West Side, Broadway and

45th Street.”

“[I got] a job that afternoon as an extra in the movie

‘Carnegie Hall.’ They were shooting it at Carnegie Hall

with William Prince. I earned $30 that day, and the next

day $30, and I was able to stay, as it turned out, for eight

years. They took care of me like I was Snow White. They

made sure I had a dinner every night and a place to stay,”

she added.

Three months later at the premiere of “Mr. Peebles

and Mr. Hooker,” Leachman was introduced to William

Liebling, who would become her New York agent for the

Cloris Leachman

next eight years. With his connections, she

got the lead in a Rodgers and Hammer-

stein comedy, played Nellie Forbush for

four weeks in the Broadway production of

“South Pacifi c,” and in 1950, she appeared

in the Shakespeare play, “As You Like It.”

She was asked to read for the part of Celia,

when lead actress Katharine Hepburn had

heard rave reviews about Leachman’s per-

formance in “Come Back Little Sheba,”

which had recently opened at the Westport

Country Playhouse.

Hooray for Hollywood

Soon after leaving New York for Cali-

fornia, Leachman landed a role as a mental

institution escapee picked up as a hitch-

hiker in the 1955 production of “Kiss Me

Deadly.” She played Timmy’s mother, Ruth

Martin, in “Lassie” for two seasons, made

appearances on “The Twilight Zone,” “The

Untouchables,” “Gunsmoke,” “Route 66,”

“Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “77 Sunset

Strip,” “Dr. Kildare,” “The Virginian” and

countless others.

In 1969, she portrayed Agnes in

“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

The next year, she played Bernice Hen-

derson in “Lovers and Other Strangers”

and began her noteworthy role as Phyllis

Lindstrom on “The Mary Tyler Moore

Show.” That role led to the offshoot show,

“Phyllis,” in which Leachman played the

same character for 48 episodes.

From 1974 to 1981, she was a sen-

sation in three Mel Brooks’ films. Her

portrayal of the hideous Frau Blücher

in “Young Frankenstein,” the raucous

Madame Defarge in “History of the

World: Part I,” and the very disturbing

Nurse Diesel in the Hitchcock spoof “High

“I love live audiences. It’s a wonderful thing and it certainly teaches you everything you need to know. They tell you everything.”

CLORIS LEACHMAN

32 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

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Anxiety” showed the depth and range of

her abilities as a comedian, not to mention

her gift for nailing foreign accents.

In 1986, she began another 48- episode

run as Beverly Ann Stickle in “The Facts

of Life,” and from 2001 to 2006 she por-

trayed Grandma Ida for 11 episodes in the

series “Malcolm in the Middle.”

On the silver screen, she played

Granny in the remake of “The Beverly

Hillbillies,” Evelyn Wright in “Spang-

lish,” along with cameo appearances in

“Bad Santa,” “The Longest Yard” (2005),

“Sky High,” and “Scary Movie 4.” She

is awaiting the upcoming release of “The

Fields,” a suspense thriller in which she

portrays another grandmother.

In her current series, “Raising Hope,”

she portrays a great grandmother who

snaps in and out of dementia.

“I adore it and I don’t have to carry

the show. I could, but I don’t have to and

that’s what is wonderful. It is so easy

for me. They take such good care of me

and are so good to me, that I couldn’t be

happier.”

Leachman claims to have turned down

only one role that she really wanted.

“I turned down [Meryl Streep’s role

in] ‘Out of Africa.’ No, not really,” she

chuckled. “Wasn’t she fabulous in that?”

“I turned down ‘Mad About You,’

which Carol Burnett won an Emmy for

in 1997. But it was nothing I regret.”

In 2008, Leachman showed the world

that her talents on the screen also extend

to talent on the dance floor when she

belied her age and became the oldest con-

testant at 82 to appear on “Dancing with

the Stars.” She and dance partner Corky

Ballas were a big hit with TV audiences.

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Back on Stage

When she’s not fi lming her series, Leachman does her

one-woman show or gives talks, which provides her

with the opportunity to perform again for live audi-

ences, in tune with her Broadway roots.

“I love live audiences. It’s a wonderful thing and

it certainly teaches you everything you need to know.

They tell you everything,” Leachman related.

In the ’90s, she played Parthy Ann Hawkes

several times in a national tour of the musical,

“Show Boat.”

“I had six different Cap’n Andys but Ned

Beatty was my favorite. He was marvelous,”

Leachman said.

Although she wouldn’t provide too many details

of what she has in store for her audience at The Buck-

head Theatre, she did say that her show has a few

surprises.

“I think it is vibrant and alive. It talks about

my experiences, some of them are touching or sad

or heartbreaking. There are a lot of other things in

it too; singing and I play the piano a little bit. I think

they will love the evening. It’s very full,” she said.

“I will not do clichés,” she continued. “I don’t

want to do them. I never want an audience to watch

me and be disappointed.”

And it would have been easy for her, like so many

others, to simply capitalize upon her beauty pageant

looks and shapely fi gure.

“I never thought I was a sexy, beauty queen

type. I thought it was too funny and I’d just laugh. I

can play that role, but I am just not normally that,”

Leachman said.

Out of the spotlight, Leachman remains busy. She

recently launched her own clothing line, was Grand

Marshall of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2009

and even had a knee replacement. While her perfor-

mances will long surpass her lifetime, she agrees,

“1,000 percent,” that her enduring legacy will be that

of mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Although her career slowed quite a bit in the

’50s and ’60s when she was raising her four sons and

a daughter with husband George Englund, a fi lm

editor, director, producer and actor, she always tried

to place more emphasis on her life at home with her

family. The couple divorced in 1979, but remain good

friends.

“He used to tell me that I was soft on Commu-

nism because I never wanted to punish my children,”

she laughed.

“I didn’t guide them. I didn’t tell them anything. I

was with them! I just can’t wait to be with them. I love

them and I love being with them more than anything,

anything,” she said.

For that, especially in the bright spotlight of

Hollywood and the demands of her profession, she

deserves yet another standing ovation! PN

F O R M O R E I N F O R M ATI O N :

www.cloris.com

www.thebuckheadtheatre.com

“I never thought I was a sexy, beauty queen type. I thought it was too funny and I’d just laugh. I can play that role, but I am just not normally that.”

CLORIS LEACHMAN

34 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Cloris Leachman

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAT JOHNSON

36 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Ancient mythology speaks of a beautiful bird with a tail of

gold and scarlet that lives 500 years and

then ignites into fl ames, only to be reborn

from its own ashes. Throughout the ages,

the mystical Phoenix has symbolized that

immortality and rebirth occurs, despite

the ravages of time and turmoil. That is

why in 1888 the city of Atlanta chose the

Phoenix to become its offi cial symbol, as

it too would “rise from the ashes” after

the fl ames of the Civil War turned the city

to dust.

Today, the Phoenix fl ies over Atlanta

once more, thanks to the Atlanta Preser-

vation Center and an innovative program

it created that encourages the community

to explore our city’s historic landmarks.

But instead of waiting 500 years, you are

in luck as “Phoenix Flies” is reborn each

year, and takes place this month. During

the 16-day celebration starting March 5,

at least 58 participating historic sites offer

more than 150 free events to entertain and

engage people of all ages.

The Golden Egg the Fox Laid

In 1978, saving the Fox Theatre from the

wrecking ball stirred something in the

hearts and minds of Atlantans who had

grown accustomed to the continued loss

of its historic treasures in the name of

“progress.”

It gave them a reason to hope.

“[The Save the Fox movement] really

made people start to think about what

we already lost in the city, and what we

didn’t want to lose in the future,” said

Carolyn McLaughlin, coordinator of

Phoenix Flies.

the[ WRITTEN BY JULIE HOSTETTER ]

PHOENIX

The Atlanta Preservation Center Presents

“ P H O E N I X F L I E S ”

— A FREE, Three-week, Citywide Celebration of Our Living Landmarks

PHOTOGRAPHY/LOGO COURTESY OF ATLANTA PRESERVATION CENTER

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 37

RETURNS

F.H. Boyd Coons, executive director

of the Atlanta Preservation Center added,

“It was kind of felt [in Atlanta] that if it

was announced something was going to

be torn down, it was just going to happen.

This was the fi rst time the community ral-

lied and said, ‘this is too much, we can’t

lose this.’ Out of that success of saving the

Fox, the Preservation Center was formed

to be an advocate and educate the city itself

about preservation.”

Working tirelessly with other groups,

the Preservation Center has helped save

thousands of buildings and landmarks,

including its seven-year battle to save

Peter’s House, now called Ivy Hall, which

was turned over to the Savannah College

of Art and Design (SCAD) to ensure its

preservation for future generations.

So for the 25th anniversary of saving

the Fox, the Atlanta Preservation Center

felt they had to do something magical for

the community. And the Phoenix Flies

event was hatched.

The name “Phoenix Flies” was chosen

to illustrate that history is alive all around

us in Atlanta. “The concept of flying,

moving and being alive is very impor-

tant to the celebration, I think, because

sometimes people perceive preservation

as trying to keep everything exactly as it

was,” McLaughlin said. “We can’t expect

everyone who lives in a 100-year-old

house to keep the building as it was. You

have to honor what was there and pre-

serve the things that work really well, and

then you have to fi gure out how to make

the building alive. You can only make

your present more rich by remembering

the past.”

Now in its eighth year, Phoenix Flies

promises a stellar lineup of engaging tours

and special events to enrich the commu-

nity’s appreciation for the treasured gems

often taken for granted in the cityscape.

Come Soar With Me

The Phoenix will spread its wings over

the city from March 5 through March 20,

from our city hall and state capitol to our

famed parks, churches, homes, universi-

ties and cemeteries. The center has worked

jointly with the historic sites to make sure

the events will be as informative and enter-

taining as possible.

“We have been able to put together a

couple of interesting connections between

different events,” McLaughlin said. “I’m

really excited about a day that you can

learn a lot about Atlanta’s Civil Rights

38 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

history. You can start in the morning with a special

tour at the Georgia Capitol museum that displays what

was the Capitol’s place in the Civil Rights movement in

Georgia. And then in the afternoon the Martin Luther

King Jr. National Historic Sites are going to present

a walking tour of the King Historic District and you

will be able to tour his birth home. And after that,

Georgia State University has a great heritage preserva-

tion program and several of their students did historic

structure reports of two buildings that are two doors

down from the King home, and they are going to talk

about those homes.”

These tours present a special opportunity to

appreciate Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights movement.

“While we [Atlanta] hold ourselves up as the center

of Civil Rights, we have not been wonderful stewards

about that in the city,” Coons said. “I think this event

will highlight … where these events that changed the

world took place.”

Another special event close to the center’s heart

is the Grant Mansion, which currently serves as their

center headquarters and is in the process of a major

reconstruction to return it to its former glory.

“In the beginning, there were no fl oors in two

of the main rooms in the front. Literally there was

just grass,” McLaughlin recalled. “And now we have

the windows repaired, one fl oor, a roof, and we are

installing a lovely front porch as we speak. For the fi rst

time during Phoenix Flies, we are going to have the

house open to the public with a small exhibit about

the history of the house.”

She added, “There are also going to be a lot of

places that have not been on the tour before, such

as the Atlanta’s Women’s Club and the Edward Gay

House, which are two of the few residential houses

left on Peachtree.”

But as they say, that’s just the beginning of the

story. Here is a sampling of other Phoenix Flies

highlights:

☛ Grant Park Walking Tour: Discover the rich history

of LP Grant Park, its Olmsted design, fresh-water

springs, forest and unique historic structures and

art works during a family-friendly stroll.

☛ Fox Theatre Guided Tour: Unravel the mystery of

the Fabulous Fox Theatre, one of the few remaining

Phoenix Flies

1890 Future

GrantMansionRestoration

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 39

exotic movie palaces of the 1920s.

☛ Rhodes Hall Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Called the “Castle on Peachtree Street,”

Rhodes Hall was built in 1904 and is

now a museum and headquarters for

The Georgia Trust. Tours will take visi-

tors through the museum, Georgia Trust

offi ces and up to the tower roof.

☛ The African-American Grounds of Oak-land Cemetery: This historic cemetery is

more than just a fi nal resting place, but

an outstanding example of a Victorian

garden cemetery with its magnifi cent

sculpture and botanical gardens and

wildlife. During this tour, learn about

the storied African Americans who

helped shape the history of Atlanta.

☛ Stonehenge Mansion & Sanctuary Tour: This tour at St. John’s Lutheran Church

will include a visit to the 1914 mansion,

the church sanctuary and a short dem-

onstration of the Zimmer tracker-action

pipe organ.

2010

2004

40 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

☛ Ivy Hall House Tour: SCAD welcomes guests inside

this award-winning architectural treasure. Designed

by noted architect Gottfried L. Norrman in 1883,

this stunning building serves as a creative learning

environment for the university’s writing programs.

☛ Swan House Tour: Enjoy a guided tour of the Swan

House, considered one of Atlanta’s most elegant

landmarks, and see how Atlanta’s most prominent

families lived and entertained in the 1920s and

1930s.

Now, remember there are more than 100 events to

choose from, but whichever story piques your fascina-

tion, this celebration is just the beginning.

“Even if you are not able to attend this 16-day

celebration, go to our Web site or get a hold of the

Phoenix Flies color catalog,” McLaughlin advised.

“Phoenix Flies is not just about getting atten-

dance during the event, but also about getting out

information for people to visit these places and attend

their events year-round.”

And you can help preserve our history, just by

visiting these local treasures.

“If you go to the Puppetry Arts, you are partici-

pating in preservation; if you go to the Wren’s Nest

you are participating in preservation; if you go to a

historic church, you are participating in preservation,”

Coons concluded. “Preservation for us is not freezing

something in amber, it’s adapting the best of the past

to make a richer future. We hope everyone who can

will come out and join us and make the most of this

opportunity.” PN

Phoenix Flies

To learn more about Phoenix Flies, please call 404-688-

3353 or visit www.phoenixfl ies.org for full event informa-

tion. If you would like to learn how you could help preserve

Atlanta’s historic treasures, please visit the Atlanta Preser-

vation Center’s Web site, www.preserveatlanta.com.

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52 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

HIT THE TR AIL BIKING

After a harsh winter, we’re clinging tight to General Beau Lee’s prediction of an early spring for Atlanta. So when the weather

does take a warm turn (oh, we can almost feel it already) we want to be prepared. What better way to soak up a little sunshine

and fresh air than to get outdoors and get moving? Last month, the City of Duluth celebrated the completion of the earliest

phases of the Rogers Bridge Park Greenway Trail, River Overlook and Bikeway Trail, just in time for spring. The 3/4-mile

segment of a larger planned concrete trail system connects Rogers Bridge Park (4000 block of Rogers

Bridge Road) to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and allows bikers and pedestrians access

along the Chattahoochee River, making it the perfect place to stretch your limbs and enjoy

a leisurely afternoon outdoors. www.duluthga.net

Don’t live near Duluth? Don’t let that stop you. Hit the trail biking at any of these

recreational spots throughout the Northside.

Big Creek Greenway, Alpharetta/Forsyth County: This trail system consists of two sections,

one extending 8.3 miles from Webb Bridge Road to just south of Mansell Road in Alpharetta,

and another extending nearly 6.8 miles from Bethleview Road to McFarland Parkway in Al-

pharetta. Plans are in the works to connect the two sections. The trail is accessible from vari-

ous parking locations along the way, as well as the new Fowler Park near Castleberry Road on

Highway 9 in Cumming, which, at press time, was scheduled to open in the immediate future.

www.bigcreekgreenway.com

Big Creek Park, Roswell: Big Creek Park contains three trail systems: the “Greenway” multi-user

trail with concrete sidewalks and boardwalks, mountain bike trails with levels for beginners, inter-

mediate and advanced cyclists, and a walking trail for walkers, runners and dog walkers only. The

park is located at 1600 Old Alabama Road.

Silver Comet Trail, Cobb County and beyond: Georgia’s ultimate non-motorized trail actually ex-

tends more than 61 miles, and crosses the state line into Alabama. The path is perfect for walkers, hikers,

bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses, dog walkers, and is also wheelchair accessible. Access points are avail-

able throughout Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties in Georgia. www.silvercomettrail.com

Suwanee Creek Greenway, Suwanee: This hard-surface, multi-purpose trail winds through 4 miles of

wooded areas and wetlands, and connects nearly 400 acres of parkland. Access points include the trailhead

at Suwanee Creek Park (1170 Buford Hwy.), Suwanee Elementary School (3875 Smithtown Road) and George

Pierce Park (55 Buford Hwy.). www.suwanee.com

TALK AROUND TOWNCheck Out Our Community Bulletin Board

For Local Announcements

topicsTOWN

HERE AT POINTS NORTH, we have the pleasure of scouting Atlanta’s Northside for new discoveries

each and every month, and we gotta say, we like what we fi nd. To that end, we want to encourage you

to explore your communities along with us, so we’re introducing this periodic section as the ultimate

source for community news. Use it as a guide to fi nd out what’s going on in your neck of the woods,

or as an outlet for sharing community information. That’s right, we’re welcoming input from you, our

readers. The next edition of Town Topics will appear in June; please feel free to share suggestions by

emailing editorial@ptsnorth.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF ROSWELL COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Big Creek Park

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 53

SUMMER CAMP’S A-COMINGSure, summer vacation may be months away, but before

you let it sneak up on you, consider how your kids are

going to spend all that free time. Spare their inevitable

boredom (and save your sanity) by securing a spot at sum-

mer camp. The options across the Northside are endless,

and Roswell in particular is making planning a breeze with

their Summer Camps & Program Fair on March 26 from 4

– 6 p.m. and April 12 from 9:30 a.m. – noon. This “one-stop

shop” gives you access to traditional day camps, perform-

ing arts, gymnastics, athletics, specialty camps and visual

arts at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building.

For budding artists, register now for a variety of one-week

sessions in themes like drawing, painting, mixed media

and clay sculpture at The Hudgens Center for the Arts in

Duluth (www.thehudgens.org), or take advantage of online

registration beginning March 7 for Abernathy Arts Center

Summer Art Weeks in Sandy Springs. This year’s theme is

“Art Through the Ages” with a focus on pottery, multimedia,

drawing, painting, jewelry, animal sculpture, cartooning and

more for ages 6 though 16 (www.fultonarts.org).

If your kids are little naturalists, the popular Camp

Kingfi sher at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell

will be right up their alley with sessions exploring the great

outdoors, plus a new drama/nature camp in partnership with

the Georgia Ensemble Theater (www.chattnaturecenter.org).

Registration is also open for Dunwoody Nature Center’s

Summer Camp 2011, which includes weekly mini-camps

for 3- and 4-year olds, as well as weekly full-day camps

for rising kindergarteners through fi fth graders in catego-

ries like “Music & Mayhem,” “Mysteries!” and “Natural

Wonders” (www.dunwoodynature.org).

Wondering if the road

conditions are clear?

Looking for safety up-

dates and advisories

from your local police

department? Then it’s time to sign up for the free Nixle service

that securely and effi ciently allows local municipal agencies and

community organizations to communicate with their residents

in real time via text messages, emails or Web access. You can

even download Nixle for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, so you are

always in the know. Currently the cities of Alpharetta and Milton

and the Sandy Springs, Norcross, Woodstock, and Marietta Po-

lice departments along with Forsyth and Cherokee County Sher-

iff ’s Offi ces provide free alerts, with more cities and organiza-

tions added regularly. Want to see if your community posts free

alerts on Nixle? Just visit www.nixle.com and search by your zip

code. Residents can easily register with Nixle online or with their

mobile phone by texting their zip code to 888777.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER

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Camp Kingfi sher

Hudgens Center for the Arts

Get Free Community Alerts From Nixle

54 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Irish eyes were indeed smiling

on me as I stepped into Durty Kelly’s Public House in

Alpharetta. Now, I know what you are thinking. Irish

pubs can be long on ambiance, but short on food. Hey,

who needs to worry much about the menu when Guin-

ness is flowing freely from the tap and toe-tapping music

fills the air into the wee hours of the night? So, I was

more than tickled green to discover that Durty Kelly’s

emphasis on authentic Irish recipes would be as scrump-

tious as dishes served in the Old Country.

You see, everything here is made from scratch.

Their motto is “The freshest of food, the oldest of

drink,” and their delectable handmade bacon and

corned beef and slew of microbrews prove they deliver

on that promise.

The corned beef is so flavorful you can actually

taste the pride that went into making it, as it takes them

eight hours to perfect and then steeps for an additional

24 hours before being served to guests. The options are

plentiful from the corned beef and cabbage entrée, a

Reuben sandwich, or my personal favorite, the corned

beef and cabbage Boxty rolls appetizer, where the beef

is rolled in a potato crepe with green onion slaw and

remoulade sauce.

Durty Kelly’s cherishes Irish fare, but tweaks it

ever so gently to appeal more to the American palate.

Old World favorites such as Bangers and Mash, fish

and chips, and Shepherd’s pie are delicious, but so are

the New World dishes, such as Keegan Durty Burger

(blackened angus, marinated in Guinness beer and

stuffed with cheese), and the Guinness baby back ribs

Saint Paddy’s Day Delights Durty Kelly’s and Other Northside Pubs Serve Up Authentic Irish Fare with Warmth and Charm

[ WRITTEN BY JULIE HOSTETTER ]

Bangers and MashPHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBIN HARRISON

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 55

or chicken wings. As for the most unique offering, why not give

the Pub Egg a try? Two hard-boiled eggs wrapped in Irish sausage,

breaded and deep-fried with a side of spicy mustard. Or perhaps

the Rock shrimp and grits that merges Southern and Irish flavors.

It’s a bit spicy, but you can say you ate a Southern dish and still

kept one foot in Ireland.

If ever there was a time to sample Irish delicacies, this is the

place, but for those whose tastes travel elsewhere, no worries, there

are plenty of popular options like fried green tomatoes, strawberry

salad, Prime Rib, crab cakes and a good, old-fashioned ham and

cheese sandwich.

Modeled after 1920s Ireland, the pub boasts a charming

city and country setting, and kilt-laden servers run to and fro

while roaring fires emanate from stone fireplaces. The country

side boasts charming private “nooks” that are perfect for small

intimate dinners or large family get-togethers, while the patio over-

looks a spouting fountain, a popular hot spot on spring days.

There is always free entertainment every day of the week,

from cornhole game tournaments and billiards to darts and live

bands. And then of course, we are talking about an Irish pub, so

the beer list is phenomenal. Durty Kelly’s has a 100-bottle beer

selection and 30 drafts on tap, and boasts everything from Russian

Imperial Styles to IPAs. You can join the “Drunken Leprechaun

Club” and be treated to special offers and perks throughout the

year, like enjoying two for one drafts on Monday evenings.

And St. Paddy’s Day will be an extravaganza that offers to be

the largest celebration in all of North Fulton. The three-day event

on Mar. 17 – 19 is called the “Get Lucky” Campaign, and will

boast two massive tents, beer trailers and “Dirty Bomb Shelters”

where you can hide out and enjoy the popular “Irish Car bomb”

drink. All the while, bagpipe players along with Irish and Amer-

ican bands will entertain the crowds and parking shuttles will see

you safely to and from your cars. And of course, you’ll need to fill

your stomach so all that beer doesn’t go to your head!

So, even if you may never have born a craving for Irish food,

I suggest you skip Italian or Mexican for one night and give it

a try.

The funny thing is I never craved Irish food myself … that is

until I ate at Durty Kelly’s.

Everything here is made from scratch. Their motto is “The freshest of food, the oldest of drink.”

Rock shrimp and gritsDurty Kelly’s Public House

Durty Kelly’s Public House

488 North Main St.

Alpharetta

770-667-0599

www.durtykellys.com

56 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Petit Fours at Creations Bakery

Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub

Party with St. Paddy: They’ve been prepping for March 17 with “St.

Practice Days” on the 17th of each month, so you know the main

event is going to be grand – plenty of Irish food and drink, prize

drawings and a tented outdoor kitchen and bar make this the block

party to remember.

Location: 12650 Crabapple Road, Milton

For More Information: 678-624-1090, www.oldeblinddog.com

For another heaping of hearty Irish fare, no need to traverse the sea,

simply head to the Olde Blind Dog pub where “historic Crabapple

meets historic Ireland.” The restaurant’s ambiance alone is worth

the trip as guests may dine in a dramatic Celtic pub setting that

takes you back nearly 300 years. As a special treat, you may enjoy

a private meal in one of their many charming “snugs,” which gained

CH E C K OUT TH E S E I R I S H PU B S TH AT A L SO S E RV E U P DE LI CI OUS D I S H E S

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHELSEA EDISON

FOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARL DANBURY, JR.

Corned beef and cabbage

Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub

Homemade bread pudding

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ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 57

popularity with 18th-century Irish pub goers who

would pay extra for a cozy and private dining booth.

The menu is chocked full of Irish delicacies and a few

Southern favorites, too. Here, you’ll fi nd Graedog

(appetizers) like Kerrygold cheddar dip with pretzel

bread and beef sliders with Guinness barbecue sauce

alongside Tobasco deep-fried pickles. Of course, all

the traditional treats are available, too, like Shep-

herd’s pie and Bangers & Mash, plus less common

off erings like Guinness onion soup and the Kildare

Rashers, Greens and Reds, a unique take on a BLT

with Scottish smoked salmon, avocado, bacon and to-

mato on fresh marbled rye bread with the chef’s spe-

cial tartar sauce. The menu also off ers a bit of practi-

cal advice: “Never, ever skip dessert,” and we must

concur – the homemade bread pudding with Bailey’s

crème anglaise is sinfully good no matter which side

of the pond you call home.

— Julie Hostetter and Bre Humphries

Keegan’s Irish Pub

Party with St. Paddy: The party starts at 10 a.m. with

Kegs and Eggs featuring Keegan’s Irish breakfast and

popular Potatoes O’Brien. Then, at noon, The Bally-

beg Band will perform, as will students from a local

Irish dancing school, and don’t be surprised if you

see bagpipers fi ltering through the crowd under tents

that will surely scream: Block Party Here! Corned beef

& cabbage served all day.

Location: 1625 Ridenour Blvd., Suite 301, Kennesaw

For More Information: 678-213-2460,

www.keeganspublichouse.com

Brothers Mike and Patrick Ford have taken their Irish

heritage and turned it into the quintessential neigh-

borhood pub, where good friends, good times and

good food come standard. While Keegan’s Public

House lives up to its reputation as an Irish pub with

its lively atmosphere and endless pints of Guinness,

what surprises me most is the food. Yes, you’ll fi nd

traditional Irish fare such as Bangers & Mash, Mul-

ligan Stew and Shepherd’s pie, but the chef-driven

kitchen here is not content to crank out the same old

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58 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

dishes without tinkering this or tweaking that. The meatloaf here, for example, is a

huge hit and word on the street in Kennesaw is that Keegan’s has a grilled cheese

that might as well be the gold at the end of the rainbow. It might not be Irish but this

grilled cheese sandwich is stuff ed with pulled pork barbecue, caramelized onions

and mac n’ cheese, then served with a homemade tomato bisque — that’s no blar-

ney! And don’t leave Keegan’s without trying the award-winning Irish spring rolls

and the award-winning Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. The homemade egg rolls are

stuff ed with corned beef, cabbage and Swiss cheese, then served with a sweet

Thousand Island dressing, while the bread pudding is simply heaven on a plate for

those of us who love to indulge our sweet tooth from time to time. Now that’s what

I call lucky.

— Heather KW Brown

Meehan’s Public House

Party with St. Paddy: With live music already off ered four nights a week, there’s

no reason not to enjoy Chef Linda Harrell’s slow-cooked corned beef brisket and

cabbage, a couple of pints of Guinness, Smithwick’s or Harp (with no green food

coloring) while tapping your feet on March 17.

Locations:

227 Sandy Springs Place, Sandy Springs, 404-843-8058

2810 Paces Ferry Road NW, Vinings, 770-433-1920

180 Peachtree St., Atlanta, 404-214-9821

For More Information: http://101concepts.com

Keegan’s has a grilled cheese that might as well be the gold at the end of the rainbow. It might not be Irish but this grilled cheese sandwich is stuffed with pulled pork barbe-cue, caramelized onions and mac n’ cheese, then served with a homemade tomato bisque — that’s no blarney!

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL DANBURY, JR.

Meatloaf with red wine gravy

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ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 59

60 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Owned by the same restaurateurs that have wowed

us at Food 101 since 1999, Meehan’s Public House

has grabbed a strong foothold in the Irish Pub sec-

tor with all three locations. Meehan’s Vinings’ loca-

tion opened in 2002. Sandy Springs followed in 2005

and the downtown location was unveiled last March.

Although Irish cuisine has never been at the top of the

food chain, Meehan’s has taken their Irish fare to the

next level. Chef Linda Harrell, whose mother grew up

in Belfast, has taken the traditional Irish menu items

and added an uncommon panache to each. For her

wonderfully moist meatloaf, Harrell combines bison,

Angus beef and Italian sausage served with red wine

gravy. The fennel from the sausage enlivens the mix-

ture and the result is incredible. For her Bangers &

Mash, mushrooms and onions are added, while the

Shepherd’s pie is served in a fl avorful mashed potato

jacket. Fresh cod is used for her fi sh and chips and

don’t pass up her yummy Irish soda bread muffi ns. For

dessert, you’ll be hard pressed to fi nd an equivalent

for her glorious Chocolate Irish soda bread pudding.

You don’t have to be a Celt to enjoy these items, but

if you wish to stray from the traditional, her creative

culinary muscles are fl exed every day with her Chef’s

menu. Duck confi t and apple ravioli served with oyster

mushrooms in a tomato duck jus had us clamoring for

more, and the Guinness fi sh tacos from the appetizer

menu are some of the best you’ll have anywhere!

“The idea was to mix friendly service, the quality of

food served at a fi ne restaurant and combine it with

the atmosphere and friendliness of an Irish Pub,” said

Phil Roness, managing partner of the Sandy Springs

location. “We weren’t sure how it was going to pan

out, but it has worked out very well for us.”

We say, “good craic!”

— Carl Danbury, Jr.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL DANBURY, JR.

Chocolate Irish soda bread pudding

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62 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Welcome to the Points North calendar. Events are listed by genre and each listing includes a description, date, a Web address

(if available) and a phone number. Calendar submissions should be sent to calendar@ptsnorth.com two months prior to the month in

which the event will occur. Please be advised that dates and times might change.

CALENDARMARCH

[ COMPILED BY ANDREW NEVEILS ]

“THE CURIOUS SAVAGE” [Through March 5]

The Polk Street Players present this warm and insightful tale of

Ethel Savage, a very wealthy widow matching wits and will with

her foolish adult children who have committed her to a mental

institution because they object to her plan to create a memorial

fund honoring her late husband. St. James’ Episcopal Church,

770-218-9669, http://stjames-marietta.episcopalatlanta.org/

“SUPERIOR DONUTS” [Through March 27]

This production from Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning au-

thor Tracy Letts off ers a tasty tale of friendship and the struggles of

a community grappling with change. The humor may rise with the

dough, but can you take the heat? Horizons Theatre, 404-584-

7450, www.horizontheatre.com

“ALL SHOOK UP” [March 3 – 13]

Act 3 Productions presents this lively musical based on Shake-

speare’s “Twelfth Night.” It has the fl air of “Grease” and is remi-

niscent of “Bye-Bye Birdie.” If those hints don’t ring any bells, then

perhaps the songs of Elvis will! Set in 1955, this production follows

PERFORMING ARTS the story of a hip-swinging, guitar-playing stranger who comes to

town and the romantic mayhem that follows. The Act 3 Playhouse,

770-241-1905, www.act3productions.org

“BURN THE FLOOR” [March 22 – 27]

Before “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance”

turned ballroom dancing into must-see TV, “Burn The Floor” was

setting stages ablaze around the globe. This electrifying dance

spectacular has thrilled audiences in more than 30 countries.

Fox Theatre, 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org

TWO SOLO EXHIBITS

[March 1 – April 9]

Frances Barth is a noted American artist and teacher. She was

awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1977 and held the posi-

tion of director of the Multi-Disciplinary Graduate School at Mary-

land Institute College of Art. Mernet Larsen is professor emeritus

of painting at the University of South Florida. Many of her works

are permanent fi xtures in numerous museums across the United

States. Marcia Wood Gallery, 404-827-

0030, www.marciawoodgallery.com

PETER BUREGA &

KIM SCHUESSLER

[March 18 – April 5]

Pryor Fine Art in Atlanta is proud to

present Santa Fe artist Peter Burega’s

abstract paintings, which are richly lay-

ered onto birch panels. Atlanta favorite

Kim Schuessler will also be featured

with her bold paintings depicting friend-

ships, family relationships and whim-

sical characters. Pryor Fine Art, 404-

352-8775, www.pryorfi neart.com

CULTURESHOCK [March 26]

Come on out to a special event fea-

turing Burlesque dancers, Parisian

ART EXHIBITS

[March 19 – 28]

“Dear Edwina”RISPA Theatrical Productions is proud to explore

the hysterical and inspiring story of Edwina

Spoonapple, a 13 year old who would do just

about anything to be part of the Kalamazoo

Advice-a-palooza Festival. Her siblings’ accom-

plishments are proudly displayed on her fridge

while she has nothing to show. Her friends and

family help her along the way to becoming a

star in her own right. Milton Center Theatre,

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street food and musical performances inspired by the exhibi-

tions currently on view. Tickets are available through the Wood-

ruff Arts Center Box Offi ce. High Museum of Art, 404-733-5000,

www.high.org

HILLSONG UNITED [March 7]

Fronted by worship leaders Joel Houston, Jad Gillies and JD,

this diverse band is an evolving collaboration of pastors, worship

leaders, musicians and songwriters giving voice to a genera-

tion passionate about God. Gwinnett Arena, 800-745-3000,

www.gwinnettcenter.com

GOSPEL COMEDY TOUR [March 19]

Comedic icon Steve Harvey and Grammy-winning gospel artist

Kirk Franklin join forces for this unique and entertaining evening.

Philips Arena, 800-745-3000, www.philipsarena.com

SINGING PSALMS: POETRY AND PRAYER [March 20]

The Cherokee Community Chorale presents its spring concert,

conducted by Dr. Melissa Arasi with accompaniment by members

of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The performance features

Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and guest performers

from the Creekview High School Chorus. Canton First United

Methodist Church, 678-439-8625, www.cherokeechorale.org

CONCERTS COMEDY

[March 2 – 6]

STOMP

STOMP has been striking, plucking, shaking, fi ghting

with and scraping everyday items for the purpose of

music since 1991. The creators/directors have updated

and added to their incredible show; they’re still fi nding

ways to repurpose everyday items for entertainment.

Come on out and prepare to stomp! The Fox Theatre,

800-982-2787, www.foxtheatre.org

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64 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

GREAT AMERICAN BAKING CONTEST [March 2]

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the judging and sampling of the sweet

treats. General Admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $35

and include early admittance and a Champagne reception with

emcee Jenn Hobby. All proceeds are tax deductible and benefi t

Share Our Strength’s eff orts to end childhood hunger. Le Cordon

Bleu College of Culinary Arts, 770-938-4711,

www.sharourstrength.org/bakingcontest

DARE TO DREAM GALA [March 12]

Join EnAble of Georgia for its largest fundraiser of the year.

The evening features dinner and dancing, plus live and silent

auctions, and all proceeds benefi t EnAble’s mission to serve

adults with intellectual disabilities. Crown Plaza Ravinia,

770-664-4347, ext. 106, www.enablega.org

THE PINK AFFAIR [March 19]

This evening of dinner, dancing, games and auctions ben-

efi ts TurningPoint Women’s Healthcare at Northside Hospital

and the Zeta Tau Alpha foundation for ongoing breast cancer

awareness and education. Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek,

www.thepinkaff air.org

HIGH MUSEUM OF ART WINE AUCTION [March 23 – 26]

Touted to be the top charity fundraising event in Atlanta

and the sixth largest charity wine auction in the country, this

event features more than 100 vintners and more than 250

live and silent auction lots, as well as the chance to purchase

cult wines, rare vintages and large-format bottles. Proceeds

benefi t the High Museum’s acquisition, exhibition and educa-

tional programming. High Museum of Art,

www.atlanta-wineauction.org

1873 SOCIAL CLUB [March 29]

SweetWater Brewing Co. and Yacht Rock Revue present this

fundraiser for the 1873 Social Club, which supports the mission

of the Atlanta Humane Society. The event features all-you-can-

drink beer and incredible music. Order tickets by March 1 for a

promotional rate. SweetWater Brewing Co.,

www.atlantahumane.org

JAZZ ON TAP & BALLETFEST [March 4 – 6, 12 – 13]

These two dance festivals feature various performances and

workshops for the participants and the public. Joe Mack Wilson

Student Center Theatre, Southern Polytechnic State Univer-

sity, Marietta, 770-516-7229, www.dancefestinc.com

CALENDARMARCH

SPECIAL EVENTS

CHARITY EVENTS

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ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North 65

BREW YOUR CASK OFF [March 5]

SweetWater Brewing Co. presents this second annual festival

to discover and promote guest brewers, local retailers, home

brewers and charities. Each brewer will create their own one-

of-a-kind cask for festival attendees to sample and judge.

This inspired event is a way for SweetWater to thank those

who sell and enjoy their products. SweetWater Brewing Co.,

404-691-2537, www.brewyourcaskoff .com

WILD & SCIENCE FILM FESTIVAL [March 6]

This festival will educate and inspire you about our world and

your role in preserving it with a selection of fi lms from the larg-

est fi lm festival in North America. The event is hosted by Upper

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia River Network and Geor-

gia ForestWatch. The Tara Theater, Atlanta, 404-352-9828,

www.ucriverkeeper.org/environmental-fi lm-festival.php

HISTORIC ROSWELL HOME TOUR [March 10 – 27]

Roswell Woman’s Club will showcase a tour of homes at The

Providence Brownstones in Historic Roswell. Shops and restau-

rants up and down Canton Street will be participating in events

during the tour. The Providence Brownstones, 770-715-2700,

www.roswellwomansclub.org

TOTS TO TWEEN CONSIGNMENT SALE [March 11 – 12]

Are you looking for newborn to juniors clothing, accessories,

toys, play equipment, strollers, car seats, furniture and much

more? If so, this event, sponsored by Northwest Atlanta Moms

of Multiples, is where you want to be. Sandy Plains Baptist

Church, 678-453-6993, www.nowamom.org

THIS IS THE ONE BRIDAL SALE [March 19 – 20]

Brides on a budget can shop for designer consigned gowns,

new and sample gowns and additional wedding attire all in one

place at this inaugural event. Le Fais do do, Atlanta, 404-387-

3027, www.thisistheone.com

NORCROSS ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW [March 26]

Have you ever wondered how much that painting in your

grandfather’s attic is worth? What about Aunt Sue’s plate that

she always hung on the wall? Selma Paul of HGTV fame will

be appraising one item per person for free. The Norcross Wel-

come Center and The Shops of Antique Traditions sponsor this

event. Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 770-448-

2122, www.aplacetoimagine.com

PAPER MILL MARKET [March 26 – 27]

The third annual European-style market returns for anyone

with an eye for the eclectic and unique. The market will feature

art, handcrafted jewelry, fashion accessories, vintage furnish-

ings, unusual fi nds and gourmet edibles. Paper Mill Village,

678-361-4113, www.villagemarketatpapermill.com

March 2011

www.wolfmountainvineyards.com | 706-867-9862Reservations required for all Food Service

SUNDAY BRUNCH6th, 13th, 20th, 27thEND THE WINTER BLUES

CELEBRATION WITH LIVE JAZZ $30 per person plus tax and

12:30 and 2:30pm

VINEYARD CAFECafe Lunch will be served

beginning March 3rd Thurs-Sat:12-3pm

TASTING ROOMOpens March 3rd

Thurs-Sat: 12-5pmSun: 12:30-5pm

TASTING ROOM(continued)

ESTATE TASTING - $10(Includes a tasting of our estate still wines)

RESERVE TASTING - $20(Includes a tasting of our still

& sparkling wines)

SERVICES DESIGNED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGET:

• Redecorating “With What You Own”• Room planning • Color selection• Furniture, artwork and accessory purchases• Advice re: structural additions or changes.• Kitchen Re-Design and build out • After-move organization.• Preparing your home for sale.

DOES YOUR HOUSE

NEED HELP?If your décor is incomplete, in need of an update, some fresh ideas, or the experienced eye of a professional to “pull it all together” - I can help.

EILEEN WALPOLEInterior Re-Design Consultant

TEL: 770-393-3243 CELL: 404-840-8999E-MAIL: art.eileen@gmail.com

MARCH

66 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

5 THINGSI MUST DO THIS MONTH

PHOTO COURTESY OF OPERATION BOOT CAMP N

ORTH

ATLA

NTA

[ WRITTEN BY ANDREW NEVEILS ]

Get a Free Fraggle Fix. The Center for Puppetry Arts is off ering

free admission to all Fulton County residents on the fi rst Saturday

of every month. Admission includes entrance into the permanent

“Puppets: The Power of Wonder” collection and three special

exhibits featuring the art of Jim Henson, plus eligible participants

may purchase tickets to performances or workshops on Free

Museum Saturdays at a 25 percent discount, subject to availability.

March 5 will be a great time to get out and explore the puppeteer

in you! If that date doesn’t work, plan your puppet day on April 2,

May 7 or June 4. Visit www.puppet.org for more information.

Keep up the Pace. Forget four-leaf clovers and shamrocks for this

March event, all you need is a pair of running shoes and a race

number. So grab your lucky sneakers, and run to sign up for Your

Pace or Mine 5K. As far as races go, this Peachtree Road Race

qualifi er is sure to inspire times that will be almost as quick as slid-

ing over the rainbow into a pot of gold. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. and

will take you on a beautiful tree-lined, paved trail, while the 1-mile

run starts at 9 a.m. with a Tot Trot to follow. The race will start

at Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville on March 5, with registration

closing on March 3. Register today at www.active.com.

Get the Blues. Feeling blue never felt so good! Café Circa in

Atlanta has extended its popular “Dinner and the Blues” evenings

with celebrated vocalist Francine Reed. On March 7, 14 and 28

from 7 to 10 p.m., diners are invited to enjoy special two-course

dinners of Chef Hopeton S. Hibbert’s Caribbean Latin fare for just

$20 as Reed belts the blues. Visit www.cafecircaatl.com or call

404-477-0008 for more information.

Party with St. Paddy. Shamrockin’ for a Cure is back to benefi t

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and this is sure to be a St. Patrick’s

Day party to remember. Taking place March 12 at Verizon Wireless

Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Shamrockin’ will feature live music and

an auction with amazing items like a room makeover from celeb-

rity designer Vern Yip, an African safari and custom motorcycles.

Enjoy all the food, beer, wine and Firefl y Vodka your heart desires.

Tickets are $75; to purchase, visit www.shamrockinforacure.org or

call 770-335-2427 for information.

Get A Dose of Vitamin D. Amp up the benefi ts of your routine

workout by mixing in some fresh air and sunshine during free pre-

views of Operation Boot Camp’s green workouts, which take place

outdoors at various venues around town. Studies show that exer-

cising outside gives your body a dose of vitamin D to promote

healthy bones and muscles, and also allows for a more intense

workout. Give them a try at Wills Park in Alpharetta on March 3 and

19 or The Boys & Girls Club in Brookhaven on March 25. For more

information, visit www.operationbootcamp.com.

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